I graduated from New College of Florida in 1982, and from the Florida State University College of Law, with high honors, in 1984. I immediately joined the Public Defender’s Office for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit and spent the next twenty-three years litigating all types of criminal cases. From the early 1990’s forward I was the chief trial attorney in the homicide division of the office. In 1999 I became board certified as a criminal trial attorney.

     In 2007 I was presented with the Freedom Award for Public Service from the Sarasota branch of the NAACP. In 2008 I received the Jim Slater award for professionalism in the practice of criminal law, presented by the judges of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit. On January 1, 2009, I received the Duisberg award for peace and justice.

     Additionally, I have served as president of the Sarasota County Civic League, and on the board of directors of the Sarasota County Bar Association and the Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness, and community advisory boards with Mentoring Children of Promise and radio station WSLR. I am the host and co-producer of the television show "Law and Sarasota" which has been on the air since 2005.